The original price for the Kaplický library can be maintained

Prague - The budget for the new construction of the National Library (NK) according to the design by Jan Kaplický, which was mentioned when the project was announced, is considered realistic by the company Arcadis. The firm, which specializes in construction cost management, stated today that the library can be built for 2.3 billion crowns. "From a structural standpoint, the library is a simple building; it's nothing different from a typical office building," said company director Pavel Havlíček to reporters. Opponents of Kaplický's proposal had previously estimated the cost to be several times higher.
    Arcadis calculated the cost of a potential construction for the Foundation for the Library, which was established after Jan Kaplický's death. "Kaplický's opinion has been confirmed that the construction won't be extraordinarily expensive," said foundation member, architect, and former Prague mayor Jan Kasl.
    The foundation provided the calculation to NK director Pavel Hazuk. He has repeatedly stated that he has not rejected the project for the new building; he is, however, preparing a reconstruction of the Klementinum. The NK currently resides there, but for almost a century, the building has been insufficient in capacity. The published proposals for radical changes to the baroque complex have provoked negative reactions from conservationists, and according to Hazuk, nothing has been decided yet.
    "The NK is under pressure to decide to renovate the Klementinum at great expense and also to complete the repository in Hostivař at great expense. The cost of renovation and completion would indeed be higher than constructing a new building," said Kasl. Additionally, NK commissioned a study for modifications to the Klementinum from the company Metroprojekt, which according to him does not have much experience with renovations of historical buildings.
    According to the new calculation, the building itself would cost 1.9 billion crowns, with the total construction at 2.3 billion crowns. The price is thus approaching the amount that the government considered for the construction of a new NK building as early as 2004. After Kaplický's winning proposal was presented more than two years ago, and as his opponents began to speak out, there were also speculations that the library, as an exceptional architectural feat, must come at a higher cost. Discussions of three to eight billion crowns arose. Politicians also leaned towards the alleged expense when rejecting the construction.
    The study published today calculated the cost of the futuristic facade at 524 million, or about 23 percent of the total construction cost. The cost for the robotic book storage system was estimated at 315 million crowns. The gross construction should amount to 360 million crowns, while external modifications with artworks and water features were estimated at 112 million crowns. The mentioned construction cost does not include furnishings and computers.
    "If the Czech Republic wants the library, it is possible to build it," said Kasl. He noted that if the library decides to "come up with" additional modifications beyond the project, the construction could certainly become more expensive.
    The project for the new building in Letná failed mainly due to political unwillingness, likely provoked by negative opinions from President Václav Klaus. Following him, the Prague ODS turned its back on the project, and gradually other influential public figures did too.
    Prague then decided not to sell the NK the originally promised land for construction. According to the foundation, however, the construction should take place precisely in Letná, for which it was designed. However, Prague plans to change the land designated for cultural construction in the land-use plan for years into land for public greenery. The new land-use plan will begin discussions in the fall and its creation will take at least a year.
    The price calculation will be handed over by the foundation to all "democratic parties," said Kasl. He stated that he does not want the library's construction to become a tool for electoral battles of only some parties. After the collapse of the project under the government of Mirek Topolánek, the ČSSD began to claim ownership of the library. Governor David Rath even offered land in the Central Bohemia Region.